Celebrating the Legacy of Concrete Wave Magazine & CalStreets: A Tribute to Michael Brooke and Rick Tetz

Concrete Wave Magazine, a beloved Canadian skateboarding publication, was founded in 2002 by Michael Brooke. Building upon Michael’s rich history in skateboard publishing, the magazine quickly became a cornerstone of the skateboarding community, offering a fresh perspective and championing the sport’s deep-rooted culture.

With a mission to infuse skateboarding with authenticity, history, and variety, Concrete Wave Magazine has featured profiles of the world’s greatest skate photographers and conducted interviews with pioneering legends of the sport.

The publication celebrates every facet of skateboarding, from pools and pipes to ditches, longboarding, speedboarding, slalom, freestyle, fingerboarding, surfskates, and the vibrant world of street skating.

The CalStreets Connection

One of the most significant collaborations for Concrete Wave was with Rick Tetz and his legendary shop, CalStreets. Michael Brooke himself once said:

“Rick’s shop, CalStreets, has quite a legacy in Vancouver (and beyond!). His shop wasn’t just a skate shop; it was a mecca. It was perhaps one of the greatest, most successful skate shops on the planet.”

Rick’s work with Concrete Wave Magazine spanned over eight years, contributing photography and IT expertise that helped shape the publication’s unique visual style and digital presence. This partnership not only strengthened the magazine but also cemented a lifelong friendship between Rick and Michael—a bond that has endured over 20 years of shared passion for skateboarding.

Galleries of Skateboarding History

In honor of Michael Brooke’s incredible contributions to the skate industry, we’ve added a curated selection of his work to our galleries.

This collection features retro longboard skate ads and era-defining photographs, capturing the spirit and evolution of skate culture through the decades.

We invite you to explore this visual journey and celebrate the legacy of two skateboarding icons who helped shape the sport’s narrative—both in print and in the streets.